An American Airlines flight en route to Miami returned to Charleston International Airport on Sunday morning due to a potential mechanical issue shortly after departure. The airline confirmed the safe landing, with no injuries reported.
The incident involved an Airbus A319-112, registration N700UW, part of American Airlines' older narrowbody fleet. Flight 2144 was operating a routine service from Charleston to Miami when the issue arose. The aircraft departed at 10:37 and reached a maximum altitude of 6,425 feet before returning safely at 11:04.
According to abcnews4, a passenger reported hearing a "loud bang and then a metal screeching sound" about five minutes after takeoff. The aircraft remains grounded for inspection at Charleston Airport.